"Never let a serious crisis go to waste"

Statement

"Never let a serious crisis go to waste," said White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in November 2008. Governing by that motto, this week in Washington the House Democrat Majority concluded its legislative session until September with a big-government, job-cutting bill under the guise of addressing the Gulf oil spill crisis.

Without question, BP should be held fully and financially responsible for the oil spill disaster, and the federal government's oversight failures must be fully reviewed and corrected to ensure that this never happens again. The focus should be on permanently fixing the leak, cleaning up the oil, assisting the Gulf Coast communities, holding BP accountable, and finding the cause of the disaster to prevent future catastrophes.

Nevertheless, despite the absence of any finalized investigation into the spill, the Majority has decided to target the entire energy industry with higher taxes and massive government regulations as a "solution" to the disaster. By a vote of 209-193, today the House passed H.R. 3534, which includes the following "solutions:"

De Facto Drilling Moratorium: I believe that the intent of the bill is to impose a de facto moratorium on offshore oil and gas production. With a deluge of new taxes and regulation, indefinite "approval" processes for exploration plans, and bureaucracy, few energy producers will be willing or able to conduct offshore oil and gas production.

President Obama's drilling moratorium has already cost over 25,000 jobs in the region and more than $6 Billion in lost revenue, expanding the crisis in the Gulf Coast economy. 33 drilling rigs, which each employ between 800 and 1400 people, were scheduled to drill in the Gulf Coast but have now been redirected to other projects in Brazil and Africa.

New Tax on Energy: $22 Billion in new taxes on oil and natural gas production on all existing and new federal onshore and offshore leases. This cost would eventually be passed on to American consumers of energy -- including families and small businesses. Of course, this new tax only applies to American energy, giving a distinct advantage to foreign oil and gas and jeopardizing American energy jobs.

Unlimited Liability Cuts Jobs and Local Revenue: The bill requires unlimited spill liability for offshore operators, which will eliminate all independent producers from operating offshore if they cannot obtain insurance policies to cover their operations. According to an independent study from IHS Global Insight, "by 2020 an exclusion of the independents [producers] from the Gulf of Mexico would eliminate 300,000 jobs and result in a loss of $147 billion in federal, state, and local taxes from the Gulf region over 10 years."

Clearly, the Gulf region has suffered enough economic downturn; Congress does not need to add to it by diminishing more jobs and local revenue in the area.

The facts are that for more than 60 years, oil and gas development has been conducted safely. During that time, more than 53,000 wells have been drilled -- including 3,000 deep water wells. And 30% of our domestic oil production comes from the Gulf. However, we still spend approximately $500 Billion a year purchasing oil from foreign countries -- some of which don't even like us. Obviously, this Congress should not be weakening American energy production and making us even more dependent on foreign oil.

I strongly opposed this bill that would increase the cost of energy, increase our dependence on foreign sources of oil, and eliminate thousands of American jobs. I support an "all of the above" energy plan. That includes applying lessons learned from the oil spill tragedy to protect and strengthen American energy production jobs -- not taking advantage of a crisis by assaulting the entire industry with job-cutting taxes and bureaucracy.

House Floor Games with Healthcare Law
One of the new healthcare law's most onerous provisions is a requirement beginning in 2012 that small businesses file a 1099 tax form to the IRS each year for every business and individual to which they paid over $600 for goods and services.

Obviously, this is a paperwork nightmare. But the Democrat Majority included this bureaucratic monstrosity to help bankroll the government-takeover of healthcare by getting the IRS to identify ways to collect more money.

As you know, I strongly opposed the healthcare law. And on Thursday as the House considered yet another business tax increase under the guise of a "jobs" bill, I was proud to support a House Republican amendment to repeal this outrageous tax reporting burden.

Concerned that the Minority might score a victory in repealing a healthcare law provision, Speaker Nancy Pelosi quickly pulled her entire business tax increase "jobs" bill (H.R. 5893) from the House floor to avoid a vote.

But it doesn't stop there. She then put virtually the same bill back on the floor today, except pairing billions in business tax increases with repealing the 1099 tax reporting provision in the healthcare law. Of course, she also changed the House Rules designation of the bill to ensure that Minority members would not be able to offer any amendments or alternatives.

The entire bill didn't get the votes necessary to pass, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi at least gave her members a talking point to use back in their districts during August recess -- claiming that they voted for a "jobs" bill that is actually chock full of tax increases and political posturing.

The American people deserve far better than these shenanigans in Congress aimed at taxing and regulating businesses at any cost.

Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary
On Monday, I went to the White House to join President Obama and other Members of Congress for a ceremony honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, the Americans with Disabilities Act represents the landmark civil rights law that promotes full public access for people with disabilities. From public transportation accommodations and communications tools to workplace, education, and community access, ADA has helped an estimated 50 million Americans more fully participate in national life.

Also on Monday, I joined my congressional colleagues in voting unanimously for a resolution (H.Res. 1504) I cosponsored honoring the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As the father of young man with disabilities, I am very grateful for the opportunities that the ADA has opened for people with disabilities -- including employment, transportation, and housing opportunities that facilitate greater self-sufficiency and participation in society.

While much work remains to increase self-sufficiency and more fully integrate people with disabilities into society, I applaud the great progress we as a country have made these past 20 years. And I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to ensure that people with disabilities have an even brighter future.

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